the president named chuck hagel as his nominee for secretary defines. -- secretary defense. some say the nominations are troublesome and hagel could even have trouble with members of his own party. but the president said he is ready for a tough confirmation fight in the senate. >> i hope the senate will act on these promptly and when it comes to national security, we don't like to leave a lot of gaps. >> if confirmed, brennan will replace leon panetta, the director of the cia and take over for general david petraeus who resigned over an extra marital affair. >>> secretary of state hillary rodham clinton resumed work today and received a football helmet to protect her from another head injury. she fell after becoming dihydrated and developed a concussion. >>> california lawmakers are back at the state capital hold be super majorities in both houses for the first time in 30 years. the legislature recessed for the holidays and the super majority means democrats can pass legislation without a single republican vote. as the legislation opens, it includes higher education funding